If the gas cap is loose and the fuel system fails the “pressure test” all the lights you have mentioned turn on (not just a single light).

This is Subaru’s way of getting the drivers attention.

Yes every one says it is excessive and everybody complains about it but that is what happens in a Subaru.

Of course It may be another problem causing the lights to come on and the only way to tell is to have the codes scanned (which some auto parts shops will do for you)

Seagrass

 

In the past, with all manufacturers, the "check engine light" would come on and be ignored by the owners. "It's just a sensor". A sensor that manages the operation of the drivetrain in some form, regardless of how small the owner feels about it's importance for performance and emissions, has a problem and it dominos into something worse than poor operation or management. This in turn created issues with warranty coverages, cost of repairs and overall life of the drivetrain components. The "fix" was to light up the dashboard to get your attention, and it works. It got your attention.

On top of that, all of the various systems on the car work in conjunction with each other to manage the things people wanted, and even what governments mandated, on/in a car. Lane departure for those that don't pay attention when they drive uses the brakes and electric steering to maintain lane direction. Emergency/automatic braking for the same reason. Radar cruise control, Eyesight, radar blindspot monitoring and others. The stability and traction systems use the engine, trans, brakes and steering to maintain an upright position for the car. When something in any one of these systems has a fault, all the systems are affected and each system gives you the fault it is experiencing. Most times it's a single element creating issues with multiple computers.

It may be a loose gas cap. It could be a weak battery or issue with the charging system and electrical components on the car in any or all systems are unable to function properly. It could be low engine oil and the engine performance is suffering because valve management isn't working as it should.

The warning lights are there to get your attention, things shut down due to faults and the lights are telling you this. It's simple - get all the systems scanned to see what the fault may be and get the fault corrected, whether it's a low battery, loose gas cap, or the oil is low, it's all pertinent to the proper function of the whole car and managing performance in conjunction with emissions.

Subaru is not the only company that this occurs with the cars and warnings. Especially when alot of electrical parts are involved in the operation.

 

In the past, with all manufacturers, the "check engine light" would come on and be ignored by the owners. "It's just a sensor". A sensor that manages the operation of the drivetrain in some form, regardless of how small the owner feels about it's importance for performance and emissions, has a problem and it dominos into something worse than poor operation or management. This in turn created issues with warranty coverages, cost of repairs and overall life of the drivetrain components. The "fix" was to light up the dashboard to get your attention, and it works. It got your attention.

On top of that, all of the various systems on the car work in conjunction with each other to manage the things people wanted, and even what governments mandated, on/in a car. Lane departure for those that don't pay attention when they drive uses the brakes and electric steering to maintain lane direction. Emergency/automatic braking for the same reason. Radar cruise control, Eyesight, radar blindspot monitoring and others. The stability and traction systems use the engine, trans, brakes and steering to maintain an upright position for the car. When something in any one of these systems has a fault, all the systems are affected and each system gives you the fault it is experiencing. Most times it's a single element creating issues with multiple computers.

It may be a loose gas cap. It could be a weak battery or issue with the charging system and electrical components on the car in any or all systems are unable to function properly. It could be low engine oil and the engine performance is suffering because valve management isn't working as it should.

The warning lights are there to get your attention, things shut down due to faults and the lights are telling you this. It's simple - get all the systems scanned to see what the fault may be and get the fault corrected, whether it's a low battery, loose gas cap, or the oil is low, it's all pertinent to the proper function of the whole car and managing performance in conjunction with emissions.

Subaru is not the only company that this occurs with the cars and warnings. Especially when alot of electrical parts are involved in the operation.

cardoc, thanks for this very good explanation of why a Subaru might light up your dash like a Christmas tree. And, you're dead on about how a typical car owner ignores a "Check engine light". I've seen so, sooo many people do that since manufacturers implemented the advanced "idiot light", and some of their cars were barely running. I've even done the same, covering up the Check engine light in my car's dash with a business card - the difference with me is that I actually determined the exact cause of the light, and I was going to dump the car soon anyway.

You made a good point with "Subaru is not the only company that this occurs with the cars and warnings". It never fails to amaze me to see so many people join this forum to immediately whine and moan about a similar problem with their fairly new Subaru, and they're gonna get rid of it as if it's a piece of junk, and buy another car that will be so much better. In many cases, WRONG - I browse or am a member in other automotive forums, and as you well know, you can see more similarities in problems of this nature between various vehicles than differences.

 

ok so it there is more to if the gas cap is loose. I will check it. I have a OBD II scan tool and will try to find any codes. This is my daughter's car and she filled up several days ago. Does that make sense that it would take so long for the problem to occur if it is a loose cap? Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Art

 

Yes. EVAP monitors run over time. There's a "soak" period where it determines if there is a leak based on tank pressures. It watches pressure while driving. It does things to pull a vacuum and release it. All the time watching for issues.

 

Thanks for your answer - one more if I may. I did check for error codes and got 8 of them - see attached. Does it seem reasonable that all the codes could be related to a gas cap? It is my daughter's car and just trying to do my best to fix it for fear of her getting into trouble on the road.

Art

 

All those codes are electrical related; "Circuit".

Back to checking the battery ampere output and the cables for excess corrosion. Not voltage, amperes. That is checked with the engine off and all the accessories off and best if after the car is set for about an hour and the battery has cooled off. Shops that know have a tester in their toolboxes. You may be able to go by an O'Reilly's Auto Parts and ask them to check the Ampere output of your battery because they sell the midtronics pbt series tester. They can also check your alternator output after checking the battery output.

If the battery cables are bad you have to get those from Subaru. And since the positive clamp has more than one cable attached to it you have to get the clamp for the positive cables separate from the cable set.

 

Possibly rodent damage, I haven't seen those codes on something that new that wasn't rodent related.

 

Has the "strong vibration" aspect of this been adequately explained or explored? Was the vibration just coincidence? Could the vibration be the cause of the issue, or a symptom?

 

The car is clean under the hood - I don't see any rodent damage. I did clear the codes and was left with P2004 and P2005 - Intake manifold runner control stuck open in two banks as permanent codes. Having two banks stuck at the same time sounds a bit fishy but I am trying to research more. As for the vibration I didn't get much useful information from my daughter. The way she described it it sounded like a RAB engaging - but I am just guessing.

 

As the Forester is a 2020 model is it still under warranty?

If so I suggest you let the dealer solve the problem.

Seagrass

 

As the Forester is a 2020 model is it still under warranty?

If so I suggest you let the dealer solve the problem.

Seagrass

Yes it is under warranty. I was trying to research what I can as their service track record has been less an ideal but it does now seem to be the best choice now. Thanks for your help. Art

 

Totally understand about the dealer and always good to have an idea of what might be wrong.

Seagrass

 

I just wanted to let everyone know the conclusion on this problem to help anyone that might have a similar problem in the future. So as stated above after clearing the codes the ones that were left were 2004 and 2005. They changed the EVAP Purge Control Solenoid on bank 1 and 2 along with bolts and gaskets. The big problem was getting the parts as it took almost 4 weeks to get them in. My biggest take away is the original codes that popped up are completely misleading but I guess one can link them all to fuel intake.

 

I am glad I found this! My 2011 Subaru Outback is doing the exact same thing. Bought it just over a month ago.
Took it to the car wash, later that day got in to go home and the check engine light is on, the brake light flashes and the stability/traction(?) light was on. Cruise also flashing.
I took it to auto zone and the scan said catalytic converter issue.
Put gas in a few days later and everything was back to normal. Today, put gas in, same ****, light's back on.
I'm assuming it's a gas cap sensor issue, but do I need to be more concerned?
Any information/advice appreciated!